Wales's newest hospital will reopen to emergency patients on Monday night, after being closed for three nights because of staff shortages.

Neath Port Talbot Hospital, which was the first general hospital in Wales to be built with the aid of private finance, opened at the end of November, but has struggled to recruit a full team of accident and emergency doctors.

Staffing problems forced closure at 1700 GMT on Friday night after locum cover for the weekend could not be arranged.

It was also closed to emergency cases between 1700 GMT on Saturday and 0800 GMT on Sunday.

Officials advised patients to contact their GP or to phone NHS Direct if they needed advice.

Those requiring further assistance were advised to visit other hospitals.

Patients admitted by GPs continued to be accepted as normal.

The hospital opened on 2 December 2002, replacing both the Neath General Hospital and Port Talbot General Hospital.